Dragon lizards were left to die in bin bags (From Daily Echo)
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Dragon lizards were left to die in bin bags
11:09am Wednesday 25th August 2010 in
A COUPLE who dumped exotic reptiles in dustbin bag were tracked down after their fingerprints were found on the binliner.
The five bearded dragons were found in hedgerow after they were abandoned and left for dead by civil partners Andrew Bews-Foster, 40, and Rodney Bews-Foster, 44. The pair have now been told they could be banned from keeping animals for ten years after they admitted animal cruelty offences in court.
RSPCA prosecutor Matthew Knight told New Forest magistrates the couple had owned the reptiles, which required a special diet and an ultra-violet light source, for about two years.
When they appeared to be off their food and sluggish Andrew Bews-Foster believed them to be dead and dumped them in two New Forest District Council dustbin bags.
They were later found in a hedge in Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge. One of the reptiles was dead, one died later and three survived, the court was told.
The Bews-Fosters were later identified by fingerprints on the refuse sacks.
The couple, who were living at Salisbury Road in Fordingbridge at the time of the offence in April both pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Welfare Act of not providing five dragons with a suitable environment and to causing unnecessary suffering.
Defence solicitor Chris Gaiger said his clients were under the impression the animals were easy to keep and maintain.
They had bought a large vivarium for the dragons and fed them live locusts. He explained that the couple had moved them into the garage which was thought to be an appropriate location, but the reptiles deteriorated.
Sentencing was adjourned until September 3.
Chairman Ian Eccles warned the defendants to expect a “high level” community order and said he knew there was a veterinary practice within a few yards of the address the couple were sharing.
He added he would be looking to impose a ten-year disqualification from keeping animals.
Andrew Bews-Foster still lives in Salisbury Road but Rodney Bews-Foster now lives in nearby Park Road.
Bearded Dragon Factfile
■ The bearded dragon is so called because when it puffs out its throat the spikes on the end of scales beneath its chin stick out, giving the impression that it has a beard.
■ The beard is intended to make the reptile look larger to potential enemies but is also thought to be a way they communicate between sexes.
■ Bearded Dragons are native to the woodlands and deserts of Australia.
■ They are a tanned or yellow like colour and will eat both insects and vegetables.
■ The bearded dragon will run on its hind legs despite it being slower than running on all fours in an effort to control its body temperature.
■ Adult males can measure up to two feet in length.
Comments(20)
Linesman
says...
11:20am Wed 25 Aug 10
If they could not keep them for financial reasons, then they could have taken them to an animal rescue centre.
I hope that, when they are sentenced, the punishment fits the crime - for once!
Brite Spark
says...
11:40am Wed 25 Aug 10
Not that there's anything wrong with the reptiles themselves of course, which are great pets. I once had an albino royal python but sadly it escaped from its cage.
Linesman
says...
12:01pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Brite Spark wrote:How's your pot-belly pig Sparky?
A lot of people who keep reptiles are odd as are this couple, and take on the characteristics of their pets, some women look like their dogs, this couple have beards as do their dragons. Reptile fans tend to be covered in tattoos and random facial hair and piercings, is it part of the 'look' that fashionable reptile fans must have? Not that there's anything wrong with the reptiles themselves of course, which are great pets. I once had an albino royal python but sadly it escaped from its cage.
Elgy
says...
12:01pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Spokesman for the Animals
says...
12:11pm Wed 25 Aug 10
davesbabe
says...
12:21pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Brite Spark wrote:that is quite insulting as my husband and i kept bearded dragons for 4 years before we moved them on to a good home neither of us are covered in tattoos or piercings, so no its not part of "the look" you must have to keep reptiles, dragons are a very quiet pet that can be handled and contrary to what they tell you they dont actually need alot of care, less actually than say a dog!! these two men must be thick if they couldnt tell if the lizards were dead or not its not rocket science, i know beardies brumate but you can tell the difference between brumation and death quite easily, just because they are reptiles doesnt mean they shouldnt have the same rights as a dog or cat etc they still rely on their owners for food and warmth etc they shouldnt be allowed to keep animals of any sort ever, disgusting behaviour in my honest opinion dont you think??
A lot of people who keep reptiles are odd as are this couple, and take on the characteristics of their pets, some women look like their dogs, this couple have beards as do their dragons. Reptile fans tend to be covered in tattoos and random facial hair and piercings, is it part of the 'look' that fashionable reptile fans must have?
Not that there's anything wrong with the reptiles themselves of course, which are great pets. I once had an albino royal python but sadly it escaped from its cage.
Spokesman for the Animals
says...
1:10pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Mind he must be a lot thick if he kept a snake in a cage no wander it exscaped.
MartinWellbourne
says...
1:24pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Spokesman for the Animals wrote:Hopefully a Dr Doolittle can help us translate your output.
I execpt that BS is not meaning all reptile owners are od just a percentige. Mind he must be a lot thick if he kept a snake in a cage no wander it exscaped.
MartinWellbourne
says...
1:25pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Elgy wrote:Always risky - in case they are not their real photos.
Well done Echo on finding the Facebook photos!
.
I used a photo on my facebook page for years which simply wasn't mine.
wilson castaway
says...
1:52pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Poppy22
says...
2:20pm Wed 25 Aug 10
derek james
says...
3:57pm Wed 25 Aug 10
gillyman
says...
8:20pm Wed 25 Aug 10
matts
says...
8:46pm Wed 25 Aug 10
Brite Spark wrote:what a complete and utter load of crap. everything you just said is just ****. yes i own many animals some of which are boas, beaded dragons, green iguanna, and many more. i also own cats and dogs. i only have one tattoo and i assure you that i am not odd. youve prob seen one or two people who have had reps and thinking everyone else who owns them looks like them aswell.
A lot of people who keep reptiles are odd as are this couple, and take on the characteristics of their pets, some women look like their dogs, this couple have beards as do their dragons. Reptile fans tend to be covered in tattoos and random facial hair and piercings, is it part of the 'look' that fashionable reptile fans must have?
Not that there's anything wrong with the reptiles themselves of course, which are great pets. I once had an albino royal python but sadly it escaped from its cage.
as for the pair of **** who done this should not be able to keep any animal for the rest of their days.
matts
says...
9:03pm Wed 25 Aug 10
derek james wrote:put it this way. there not just like owning a pet cat or dog. many people who own reptiles do a great job and are very passionate about keeping there reptiles in great health and providing the best possible living enviroments there are on the market. uv lighting cost from £15-£30 per tube and has to be replaced evry 6-9 months. you have starters to power them. heat bulbs are prices from £4 upwards to £40. then theres thermastates which cost £35 and the list gos on. there are some people out there who just get reps and dont research into what they are buying and there for not knowing how to care for them. its a shame that now we are begining to see the reasults of this in the way that animals are becoming very poor and acting like dicks like these two have done. as for the post above for these animals to be banned. i think not. maybe having to take an exam on how to keep a certain typr of rep, yes. and also the post of designer pet, no , not at all. i would say a specialist pet which require alot of care.
agree with most of the above, these are expensive pets, they need uv tubes that cost £20 each and a heat source, probably £5 each a week for insects they are classes as exotic pets by vets so any illness you get an exotic price to match.not a cheap pet
shagbands
says...
10:47am Thu 26 Aug 10
Poppy22 wrote:First off, bearded dragons are gentle reptiles provided they are regularly handled.
These sort of "designer pets" should be banned, or licensed in some way such that people who buy them can't get rid of them without someone finding out. And do these men put all their rubbish in bin bags in the hedgerows?? (Wish the punishment met the crime - ie put the men in tied-up bin bags & leave them in a hedgerow .... - if so, it might actually put people off doing these things!). And what if a child had found the bags & opened them up and the animals were alive - don't know anything about these animals but imagine if they'd been crocodiles or similar!
Second, crocodiles are licensed under the exotic animal license so are not readily available for anyone to get their hands on.
Third, I think any child would know better than to go play with a discarded bin bag in a hedge.
Bassett-Mikey
says...
12:41pm Thu 26 Aug 10
missmouse
says...
7:41pm Fri 27 Aug 10
LdyPayne
says...
3:50pm Thu 2 Sep 10
I am saddened to hear about these poor bearded dragons, they certainly didn't deserve to be tossed out like trash just because the owners no longer wanted them. Without knowing all the details about these dragon's setup, I can't say whether they were sick due to improper husbandry or entering normal brumation. Either way, it is the owner's responsibility to provide proper care, both in normal every day needs to ensuring their pets see a vet when ill.
Another thing I want to mention is the 'Bearded Dragon Facts' included after the article. Bearded dragons do not run on their hind legs at all. I expect it is being confused with the Frilled dragon of Australia, which will run on its hind legs to escape predators. It has a large frill it extends outwards to make itself look bigger and more threatening.
Bearded dragons do stick their throat out, and the scales on throat and neck will darken as well, giving it a beard like appearance. They do this for many reasons, to intimidate potential predators, territory displays and during courtship. They will also do this when very sick or highly stressed.
Bearded dragons are easy to keep, requiring some special care which isn't difficult to set up. UVB producing bulbs are necessary and should be changed every 6-9 months. The basking light can be any household bulb, not just those sold in pet stores or online. Other than that, care isn't difficult. However people need to do their research and not rely on the local pet store employee on best care. The Internet is filled with excellent resources and easy to access.
It is my view that everybody who wants to buy a pet, no matter what kind, be it dog, cat, hamster, lizard or gold fish, should research proper care. There are alot of people who buy pets who have little to no idea how to care for it...or even what to expect in the animal's later life. Not all reptiles are for everybody...but with proper care and knowledge, even large 'scary' reptiles can be good pets...the owners just have to use common sense and do their research. They definitely need to at least look into the adult size and requirements for reptiles...a cute little baby green iguana doesn't look like much but a couple years down the road, that 14" long lizard can be between 4-6' long and if not socialized properly, can be a tail whipping, biting and clawing beast which can do serious damage.
Also, many 'cheap' reptiles are also the hardest to care for due to several factors. Adult size, (thus needing alot of space, so huge cage), special husbandry needs, dietary needs, etc. So, definitely do your research.
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Gladbachsaint says...
11:16am Wed 25 Aug 10